John p



(No Model.)

J. -P. EDWARDS.

MATGH- WASTE HOLDER.

Patented Sept. 20, 1881.

l [1 ax.- ill UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. EDWARDS, OF NEW YORK, NY.

MATCH-WASTE HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,180, dated September 20, 1881.

Application filed April 25, 1881. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN P. EDWARDS, of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and Improved Match-Waste Holder, a receptacle for burned or partly burned matches, of which the following is a specification.

According to myinvention, a removable box, adapted for readily emptying out the contents at intervals is so connected with a fixture permanently attached to the wall that it is reliably kept in position to receive the stumps and cin-- ders of matches as they are produced in use. The match-waste is introduced through a tapering funnel, which forms afinish for the top and conceals the unsightly contents.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a central vertical section. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on theline s s, in Fig. 1. Figs. 8 and 4 are corresponding sections of the outer and inner case separated. Fig. 5 is a section showing the inner case removed and in position for emptying the contents. Fig. 6 is a central vertical section. Fig. 7 is a cross-section, on the line if t, Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a section showing the case removed.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is a case of sheet-metal or other suitable material, parts of which will be designated by additional marks when necessary. Its top is a funnel, A terminatin g at the bottom with a sufficient hole, a, to admit the waste portion of the wood and the cinders ot' the matches. Its back plate, A, is extended up and down, and is equipped with holes a to receive nails or screws 0 e, fastening it upon the wall on of the apartment.

D is an inclosed box of a slightly-tapering form, the small end uppermost. It is open at the top and tightly tits in the interior of the case A.

E is a bottom attachment in the form represented. Its front beveled face is smooth, but the remaining surfaces are of roughened metal. The attachment E is adapted to serve the double functions of a handle for taking hold and withdrawing the box D, and also to serve as a scratching-surfaceforignitingmatches. When the box D, with its bottom E, is in place within the case A, which latter is held firmly on the wall, the scratching may be effected without any rattling or other movement of the parts. The scratching-surface is held rigidly. When the box D is nearly filled, or at any time, at convenience, the handle E is grasped and drawn forcibly downward until the box I), with its contents, is disengaged. Then its contents are poured out, and on being vigorously thrust back to its place in the case A, it fits tightly and is held by friction.

It is important to provide that the device shall not come apart too easily, which is liable to occur after the surfaces get worn. I avoid this by springing outward or swelling the sides of the box D and by springing inward 'or concaving the sides of the case A. This springing outward of the parts must not be so great as will forbid the parts assuming rectangular forms by their elasticity when the swelled box D is thrust forcibly upward within the concaved sides of the case A.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions.

It is important to make the box of sufficient height to allow afull-length match to be pushed down through the hole a, even after some waste has accumulated in the bottom of the box.

One or more of the sides of the box D and fixed case A may be plain instead of being either hollowed or rounded; but I esteem it important that at least one side of the structure shall be so conditioned that it shall be compelled to changeits form by the application of the parts together, so that the elasticity of the metal will be available to maintain a reliable friction and keep the parts in place. A separate spring-catch maybe provided for this purpose, if preferred in any case.

A modification to which I attach much importance is shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. In this the main portion of the outer casing, A, is dispensed with. What corresponds to the boxD carries the funnel A, and is made open at the upper portion of the back to allow of the convenient discharge of the contents therethrough. Thelower portion of the box is tight all around. The back is formed with turned-in lips orflanges which embrace the slightly turned-out edges of the back plate, A. The scratching-surface is formed by the bending inward or outward the bottom of the back plate, A. In this form of the device the necessity for holding firmly by friction is less; but I prefer that the fit shall be quiteclose,so thatthere shall be no rattling ofthe parts when they are in position together. The removable box D, with its flanges cl, is applied on the fixed portionAabove. When it is to be emptied it is simply lifted until its lips d let go of the fixed part A. Then the box is readily emptied and returned to its-position.

I claim as my invention- 1. A match-waste receptacle, D, in combination with a wall-fixture, A, and fastening means 0 for the latter, and with a funnel, A,

of A'pril,188l, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

' J. P. EDWARDS.

Witnesses:

M. F. BOYLE, CHARLES C. SrETsoN. 

